Newsgroups: sci.space
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Planning a trip to Proxima Centauri
Message-ID: <1989Mar29.210617.4334@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <4441@drivax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 89 21:06:17 GMT

In article <4441@drivax.UUCP> macleod@drivax.UUCP (MacLeod) writes:
>... Given the energy
>density figures from preliminary reports, how much of a scale-up
>will it take for a constant-boost ship capable of going to Proxima
>Centauri?  Assume refueling there.

Massive.  Colossal.  Nearly impossible.  Fusion is only marginally viable
as an interstellar propulsion system at all, never mind constant-boost!
Effective interstellar propulsion requires antimatter rockets at least,
and preferably systems like the Bussard ramjet or the laser sail that
escape from some of the limitations of rockets.
-- 
Welcome to Mars!  Your         |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
passport and visa, comrade?    | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu